Sinclair, James R (2015) Positioning and timing calibration of SNO+. Doctoral thesis (PhD), University of Sussex.

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Abstract

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory solved the solar neutrino problem, confirming neutri-
nos have non-zero masses. Massive neutrinos raise questions about the nature of neutrinos,
implying physics beyond the standard model and potentially a solution to the observed
matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory is be-
ing upgraded, with the goal of probing the nature of neutrino masses. The experiment will
also study reactor, geo, supernovae and solar neutrinos. The upgrade is characterised by
changing the target mass from heavy water to scintillator. Using scintillator allows for the
lowering of the energy threshold, but this increases sensitivity to backgrounds. To meet
the requirements of the physics on detector performance, a detailed optical calibration is
needed. Due to increased background sensitivity, a new external LED-based calibration
system has been developed and the existing laser calibration system has been modified
to meet radiopurity requirements. This thesis describes the the development and imple-
mentation of both of these calibration systems. With a study of the potential use of the
LED system to monitor the detector's structure, enabling a better definition of the fiducial
volume by reducing the effects of external backgrounds. An assessment of the impact of
these systems on the detector performance will be presented.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Schools and Departments:	School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics > QC0770 Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity > QC0793 Elementary particle physics
Depositing User:	Library Cataloguing
Date Deposited:	27 Oct 2015 11:13
Last Modified:	08 Feb 2017 09:35
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/57182

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